RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

INTRODUCTION :Let us first understand the meaning of the words - Coplanar Forces.
Coplanar means lying in same plane so basically we are talking about 2
dimension i.e. mostly x axis and y axis.
Force is a vector quantity which changes or tends to change the shape, size
or motion of the body.
Now we cannot see a force but we can feel effects of a force.
We are concerned with external forces only in our scope of subject.
There are internal forces also, like the forces between molecules which
give rise to concept of stress and strain.

We will be talking about Newtonian mechanics or classical mechanics

where forces and their effects are studied at macro level.

Whereas in a branch called Quantum mechanics, where Newton laws

of motion are not applicable, we study forces and their effects at a
micro level.

Characteristics of forces
Any force has three characteristics :
1)

Magnitude

2)

Direction

3)

Point of application
If we change any one of these characteristics, the nature of force may

change or the output may change.

Example for above :
1)

Take your calculator.

2)

Suppose you are applying a 10N for vertically downwards on button (1)
Here, Magnitude - 10 N
Direction

- downwards

Point of application - button (1)

Output on calculator screen is (1)
1

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

3)

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Now applying same magnitude, same direction, change the point of

application to button (2)
Output on calculator screen is (2)
We can see that changing the point of application has changed the output of

the system.
*

Principle of transmissibility of force.

The law states that a force can be transmitted anywhere along its line of
action and will still have the same effect on motion of body, maintaining the
direction of force
Explanation for Principle of transmissibility :
Consider a force of Magnitude F acting at a point on the body.
Body

L ine of Action

(I) BODY M OVES FORWARD

[TO THE RIGHT]

Now, according to law of transmissibility of force, above system is same as

Body

Body
F

(II)

(III)

In both cases above body moves forward to the right.

Also you can see that from (i) to (iii) changing the point of application,
changed the nature of force i.e. In fig (i) F was a push force and in fig (iii) F was a
pull force.
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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Contradiction or Exception to the law of transmissibility

Consider two forces F1 & F2 acting on a body having the same line of action as
shown :

F1

F2

(i)

Now applying law of transmissibility, we can say

F2 was passed along its line of action maintaining the direction & so is the case for
F1, refer fig (ii)
According to the law, both (i) & (ii) will give the same output as regards to direction of
motion i.e. the body will move in direction of larger force.
But it can be seen that in fig (i) The body is in compression while in fig (ii) body is in
tension.
So of course case (i) and case (ii) arent the same
But still we will use this law in our entire subject of mechanics because we are
talking about Rigid bodies in Mechanics [Rigid body is a body that does not deform
under the action of any force]
Resolution and composition :
Resolution is the process of splitting a force into two components vectorially while
Composition is the process of combining two components into a single force often
called as Resultant.
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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Resolution of a force.
Consider a force of magnitude F, at an angle of with the horizontal x axis, acting at
the origin. {All 3 characteristics of forces i.e. Magnitude, angle and acting at O; are
stated}
Y

Now only consider the magnitude F. Consider a OAB where AB r to X axis also
AB = OC

Y
FA

C
F

O
Now sin =

and cos =

AB = F sin

OB = Fcos

i.e nothing but OC = Fsin

We can state that,

F
F
Fsin
O

Fcos

Fig (i)
4

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Where the arrows for direction are put according to parallelogram law of vector
addition which states. 'If two forces are represented by sides of parallelogram then
the diagonal of parallelogram gives the resultant two forces.
Also from OAB,
By Pythagoras theorem,
OA2 = OB2 + AB2

OA2 = OB2 + OC2

F2 = (F cos)2 + (Fsin)2

F=

..(I).{This equation gives the magnitude of

Resultant
force F by its components Fcos & F sin}
also, tan =

= tan-1

..(II)

{This equation gives angle of Resultant

F with x axis}

Need for resolution :

Vectors cannot be added or subtracted directly because of their directions.
We can add or subtract if the vectors lie along the same line i.e. we will add two vectors if they have
same direction along the same line (or parallel lines) and subtract if the two vectors have opposite
directions.
Eg.

A
A

B
A

or

B
CANNOT BE ADDED/SUBTRACTED

CAN

BE

ADDED/SUBTRACTED

DIRECTLY

since they are along same line

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Resolution splits a force into two components - one along X axis and other along Y
axis. There components are also called as rectangular components.
Composition :
The process of combining two components into a single force is called composition.
Refer Fig (i), There two components namely Fcos and F sin and can be combined
into a single force F sometimes also called as Resultant
There are two inferences that we can draw from process of resolution :The component which makes an angle with actual force is the COS

1)

component.
2)

All the arrows of the resolved force and the actual force will be together.

Eg.

Resolve the following

Y

F
Fsin

F
Fcos

Fcos

Fsin

Observe all the force components and the actual force have arrows together
and the component which makes an angle with force or X or Y axis is called as
COS component.

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Some more examples are :

F2 sin

F2 cos

F1

cos
FF1cos

F2

F3sin

FF1 1sin

sin
X

F4cos

F3

F3cos

F4sin

* Wherever there is angle there is 'cos'

F4

* All arrows are together

A system has more than one force acting in specific ways.

If all the forces act on a point, it is called a CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM.
The forces may be directed towards or away from the point.
Let us take an example of concurrent force system.
Y
F1

F2

O
F3sin

F3

F4

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Let us resolve all force above

y
F1 sin

F2 cos

F1

F2

F2 sin

F1 cos

F3cosr

F4sin

r
F3sinr

F3

F4cos

F4

Let us combine all forces along X direction together . {Was possible because of
Resolution}
Fx = F1 cos F2 sin + F3 sinr + F4 sin
{ consider direction of component as + ve, direction of component as -ve .}
Also combine forces in Y direction.
Fy = F1 sin + F2 cos + F3 cosr - F4 cos
{ consider direction of component as + ve , direction of component as -ve }
Now, lets assume we get values of Fx =+ ve & Fy =+ ve
then these forces can be shown as

Y
FY

FX

X
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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

THEORY

Using composition of forces lets combine these forces together to form a

RESULTANT.
{This is similar to Resolution of single force Refer fig (i). Page 5}

FY

FX

From (I) & (II) [check Part of resolution of force Page 5]

R=

& =

___________ (a)

___________ (b)

Please Note :
1)Two components of resultant R, are

{summation of forces in X direction}

{summation of forces in Y direction}

Hint :
For solving any sum on concurrent force system for resultant;

1)

Draw the diagram

2)

Resolve the forces

3)

Find

4)

Find Resultant using,

R=

&

and

= tan-1